Yoakam returns to the Ryman

Monday, February 4, 2013 – Dwight Yoakam will headline Nashville's Ryman Auditorium on Friday, April 12 for the first time since 2005.

"The Ryman is one of a handful of places in the world, that from the moment you step inside, you can feel that you have entered a hallowed chamber occupied by the essence of the great," said Yoakam, who is currently touring in support of "3 Pears."

The Lone Bellow, a Brooklyn band that has gotten a lot of buzz, is set to open.

CD reviews for Dwight Yoakam

Dwight Yoakam appears to be a many of mystery on the cover. With two side-by-side images of himself, the Kentucky honky tonker dons a trademark cowboy hat, jeans jacket and jacket and plucking his electric, legs spread and head pointed down. But there really is no mystery about Yoakam, who has been making music longer than some of the contemporary country acts have been alive. And Yoakam has a thing or two to show these young turks what country music used to be - and based on this sterling, »»»

It's comforting to know that in an unpredictable, fast-paced world, there are certain things that will always remain the same. Dwight Yoakam will never come up short when it comes to sharing a cool groove. Indeed, here he is, some 35 years after making his debut, still looking sharp with that cowboy hat perched low over his eyes, giving the impression he hasn't aged a single day, and back at home on Warner Bros., the label that launched him originally.
It's also assuring to know »»»

There are two approaches to tributes, whether an individual song or an entire album. One is to make as faithful a recreation of the original music as possible. The second is to try to make the song your own while still paying homage to the original. Dwight Yoakam dives headlong into the second option in this tribute to Buck Owens, both a personal mentor and friend to Yoakam, who passed away early in 2006.
These 15 songs include mostly those that reached the top 5 and would be anticipated on such »»»

Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»

Concert Review: Over the Rhine presents its version of holiday songs –
Shortly before performing Merle Haggard's downer Christmas song, "If We Make It Through December," Over The Rhine co-leader Linford Detweiler remarked how his wife (and other half of OTR) Karin Bergquist recently described the act's holiday sounds as "reality Christmas music."
And when a duo includes a song like "My... »»»

Concert Review: Perhaps not country, but Urban stars –
After Keith Urban scorched a version of "Days Go By," a man in his mid-50s in a Led Zeppelin T shirt said to his rhinestone clad lady friend, "This is not country music, that guy's a rock star."
Indeed, the chart topping Aussie further contributes to country's multiple personality disorder, but in a category other than pop.... »»»

For nearly a decade and a half, The Devil Makes Three has concocted an amazing blend of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, rockabilly and whatever happens to bubble to the surface, and applied it liberally to their songwriting ethic.... »»»

Mercy Rose Isbell recently celebrated her first birthday and, ironically, the album she helped inspire has just been released. Synchronicity is a beautiful thing. Mercy Rose is, of course, the daughter of singer/songwriters Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires, two of the most gifted Americana artists working today...
... »»»

Something old is new again. The Earls of Leicester, fresh from their first release in late 2014 and the IBMA Entertainer of the Year Award for 2015, followed that remarkable success with "Rattle and Roar."... »»»

If naming your release "Gunslinger," you'd better let it rip and go for a harder country sound, especially if donning a black cowboy hat on the cover. The reality does not exactly match that sentiment for Garth Brooks, but at times he comes mighty close. »»»

Listening to Garth Brooks' and Trisha Yearwood's new holiday album of (mostly) duets, one is once again reminded how Yearwood is one of the most underrated country artists, whereas - if we're being honest - Brooks is a little on the overrated side. »»»

Perhaps no artist is so ingrained in the very fibre of modern Americana more than Emmylou Harris. Her presence is everywhere - in the music she makes on her own, in the music she shares with others, in the music that feature finds her simply settled in the background sharing supporting vocals or merely lending inspiration. »»»

Balsam Range has been at the heart of mainstream bluegrass music since its debut in 2007. "Mountain Voodoo" is an ambitious, and successful, summation of the first decade. Vocal harmonies provide the core of Balsam Range's music. It's mountain music, to be sure, with lots of vocal range. »»»